Burnt Chef Project launches free-to-use mental health support service for hospitality staff
The text-based service has been made a possibility following a fundraising drive supported by the likes of Sat Bains, Paul Ainsworth, JP McMahon and Tom Kerridge that raised nearly £3,000.
Called the 'Get Active Lockdown Challenge', the event saw 80 individuals from around the country join to raise awareness for mental health by covering 7000km on a virtual tour around 50 Michelin restaurants
Due to the overwhelming response to this challenge, the Burnt Chef Project went ahead and launched its dedicated Burnt Chef Support Service today (1 February) to provide 24/7 support to anyone within hospitality who feels like they want to talk to someone about their mental health.
The service is free and fully confidential to anyone within hospitality whether front-of-house, back-of-house or operations, and also extends to employees within the hospitality supply chain.
“To say the last 12 months for hospitality has been hard is an understatement," says Kris Hall, founder of the Burnt Chef Project.
"As an industry family we have all shared these tough times together and this is just one of the ways in which we shall continue to tackle the rising mental health epidemic.
"The service will be manned by real people who are dedicated volunteers all around the UK and overseen by full-time clinical supervisors.
"Whether you are a general manager, head chef, housekeeper, student, fishmonger, cleaner, waiting staff or bar person this service is here for you; totally free and confidential whenever you need it.
"This support service is here for any individual whenever it is needed. If you feel anxious or stressed, isolated, lonely or grieving, suffering from substance misuse or perhaps you have experienced bullying, depression or sadness, or have relationship worries as well as self-harm and suicidal thoughts then please use this service."
To use this service just text: BURNTCHEF to 85258 24/7 and for free and a trained volunteer will aim to respond to you within five minutes.
For more information, click here.
